Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday spoke to Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, and the two leaders discussed ways to strengthen bilateral ties between India and Venezuela.
Rodríguez was formally sworn in as Venezuela’s interim president on January 5 following a turbulent political transition that led to the removal of President Nicolás Maduro in a dramatic United States military action. Her appointment was ordered by Venezuela’s Supreme Court after Maduro’s capture.
“Spoke with Acting President of Venezuela, Ms. Delcy Rodríguez. We agreed to further deepen and expand our bilateral partnership in all areas, with a shared vision of taking India-Venezuela relations to new heights in the years ahead,” Modi said in an X post.
Rodríguez, 56, is a labour lawyer with close ties to the private sector and a long-standing association with Venezuela’s ruling establishment. She was administered the oath of office by her brother Jorge Rodríguez, who heads Venezuela’s National Assembly.
Venezuela regime change and the capture of Nicolas Maduro
The interaction between the two leaders follows the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro earlier this month.
On January 4, the Ministry of External Affairs responded to the developments in Venezuela, describing them as a matter of “deep concern” and saying the situation was being closely monitored.
"India reaffirms its support to the well-being and safety of the people of Venezuela. We call upon all concerned to address issues peacefully through dialogue, ensuring peace and stability of the region. The Embassy of India in Caracas is in contact with members of the Indian community and will continue to provide all possible assistance,” the statement said.
In recent days, Venezuela’s military and police forces have publicly pledged their loyalty to interim President Delcy Rodriguez, strengthening her hold on power following the dramatic removal of Maduro, according to a report by Al Jazeera.
The pledge of allegiance was made during a ceremony on January 28 at the Military Academy of the Bolivarian Army in Caracas, where senior defence and security officials expressed their support for the acting president.
Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino made a strong declaration of support, saying, “We swear absolute loyalty and subordination.” He also presented Rodriguez with symbolic military regalia, highlighting the armed forces’ recognition of her authority as commander in chief.
Rodriguez assumed office after the US military captured Maduro and his wife earlier this month. Since taking charge, she has focused on consolidating her position while addressing internal divisions and external pressure. Her early steps have included the release of political prisoners detained under the previous administration and efforts to manage Venezuela’s complex relations with the international community.
